Borough
Swears In Three New Police Officers
by Sam Fran Scavuzzo
SWEDESBORO -- The month of January ended as it began in
Swedesboro with swearing-in ceremonies for new public servants.
At the Jan. 22 Borough Council meeting, Mayor Thomas
Fromm swore in newly hired police officers for the borough. The shoe was on
the other foot a few weeks prior when Fromm was given the oath of office for
his second term as mayor along with two council members.
The borough hired Stephen Spithaler, Jr. as a Class I
Special Officer and both Jennifer Fratto and Wilbert Thomas IV as Class II
Special Officers. They were welcomed into the force by Fromm, Police Chief
William Dupper, the Borough Council and existing police officers as well as
friends and family.
After the ceremony, Dupper talked optimistically about
the good the new officers will be able to instantly do for the force. “With
the increase in population and traffic it is really beneficial to increase
the police presence in the borough,” Dupper said.
Republican Councilman Salvatore “Sam” Casella noted the
new police will be needed as certain problems have arisen recently. Casella,
in charged of the police committee, remarked on several complaints from
residents about drugs activity on Broad Street.
Arrests have been made, but Casella feels they are only
a short term solution. He hopes cooperation among residents, the council,
and the police will stop the problem.
Republican Councilman Darlene Gage, absent at the
Borough meeting, talked to several residents at her Broad Street home about
the situation recently. Dupper also attended the talk and reported a
positive result.
“I think it went very well. We spoke to the residents
in regards to calling in issues rather than not calling us. We want (to)
encourage them to call, as many people hear something, see something and
don’t call it in,” Dupper said.
“We are trying to get them active in reporting
suspicious activity.”
Other improvements to the police include a proposed
call box to be installed either in front of or behind Borough Hall for
emergency situations. Before the borough can incorporate the idea, proposed
by Councilman George Weeks, it needs to work out some logistical concerns.
Dupper also thanked Republican Councilman Donald Dryden
and his company for donating a Police Pocket Partner for all officers. A
little book, the partner is a guide on how to deal with hazardous material,
fires and other emergencies.
Additionally, Weeks looks to meet with Dupper in order
to bolster the police section on the borough’s website to give resident a
better idea of how the police can serve them.
